Summary

Written in uncommonly engaging, lucid, and elegant prose, this book is an "understand-it-yourself, do-it-yourself" manual designed to help readers understand the fundamental structure of quality research and the methodical process that leads to genuinely significant results. & It guides the reader, step-by-step, from the selection of a problem to study, through the process of conducting authentic research, to the preparation of a completed report, with practical suggestions based on a solid theoretical framework and sound pedagogy. This book will show readers two things: 1) that quality research demands planning and design; and, 2) how their own research projects can be executed effectively and professionally. For researchers and research analysts in any discipline.

Table of Contents

Introduction

xvii

PART I THE FUNDAMENTALS

1

(46)

What Is Research?

3

(11)

What Research Is Not

3

(1)

What Research Is

4

(5)

Discovering the Discipline of Research

9

(1)

Browsing the Periodicals Section of the Library

10

(1)

Computer Prompt: Finding Journals on the Internet

10

(1)

Practical Application: Evaluating the Research of Others

11

(1)

Checklist: Reflective questions to consider when evaluating research

11

(1)

Guidelines: Benefiting from Others' Research

12

(1)

For Further Reading

13

(1)

Tools of Research

14

(33)

General Tools of Research

14

(1)

The Library and Its Resources as a Tool of Research

15

(4)

The Library of the Quiet Past

15

(1)

The Library of the Stormy Present

16

(1)

How to Access Knowledge Quickly and Efficiently

16

(3)

Computer Prompt: The Computer and Its Software as a Tool of Research

19

(3)

Taking Advantage of the Internet

19

(3)

Accessing the Internet

22

(1)

Learning More About the Internet

22

(1)

Practical Application: Using the Internet to Facilitate Communication

22

(1)

Practical Application: Using E-Mail

23

(1)

Guidelines: Getting Started on E-Mail

23

(1)

Measurement as a Tool of Research

24

(8)

Measuring Insubstantial Phenomena: An Example

24

(3)

Interpretation of the Data

27

(1)

Four Scales of Measurement

28

(3)

Validity and Reliability of Measurement

31

(1)

Statistics as a Tool of Research

32

(1)

The Lure of Statistics

32

(1)

Primary Functions of Statistics

33

(1)

The Human Mind as a Tool of Research

33

(4)

Deductive Logic

34

(1)

Inductive Reasoning

35

(1)

The Scientific Method

36

(1)

Critical Thinking

36

(1)

Facility with Language as a Tool of Research

37

(2)

The Value of Knowing Two or More Languages

38

(1)

The Importance of Writing

38

(1)

Practical Application: Communicating Effectively Through Writing

39

(1)

Guidelines: Writing to Communicate

39

(2)

Computer Prompt: Using a Word Processor

41

(1)

Practical Application: Identifying Important Tools in Your Discipline

42

(1)

Checklist: Interviewing an Expert Researcher

43

(1)

Reflections on Significant Research

43

(1)

For Further Reading

44

(3)

PART II FOCUSING YOUR RESEARCH EFFORTS

47

(98)

The Problem: The Heart of the Research Process

49

(21)

Finding Research Projects

49

(2)

Practical Application: Identifying and Describing the Research Problem

51

(1)

Guidelines: Finding a Legitimate Problem

51

(1)

Guidelines: Stating the Research Problem

51

(5)

Checklist: Stating the research problem

56

(1)

Dividing the Research Problem into Subproblems

56

(3)

Subproblems Versus Pseudosubproblems

57

(1)

Characteristics of Subproblems

57

(1)

Identifying Subproblems

58

(1)

Computer Prompt: Using Brainstorming Software

59

(1)

Every Problem Needs Further Delineation

60

(3)

Stating the Hypotheses and/or Research Questions

60

(1)

Delimiting the Research

61

(1)

Defining the Terms

61

(1)

Stating the Assumptions

62

(1)

Importance of the Study

63

(1)

Ordering the Topics in a Research Proposal

63

(1)

A Sample Research Proposal

63

(1)

Dissertation Analysis 1

64

(2)

Practical Application: Writing and Evaluating a Proposal

66

(1)

Checklist: Evaluating your research plan

66

(1)

Practical Application: Reappraising a Proposed Research Problem

67

(1)

Guidelines: Fine-Tuning Your Research Problem

68

(1)

For Further Reading

68

(2)

The Review of the Related Literature

70

(21)

Understanding the Role of the Review

70

(1)

Beginning Your Search for Related Literature

71

(1)

The Library's Book Collection

71

(1)

Computer Prompt: Accessing a Library Catalog from Home

71

(2)

Indexes, Abstracts, and Other General References

71

(2)

Computer Prompt: Using CD-ROM Technology

73

(1)

Online Searches

74

(1)

Additional Resources for Your Literature Review

74

(1)

Government Publications

74

(1)

The World Wide Web

75

(1)

Computer Prompt: Searching the Web

75

(1)

Using the Citations and References Lists of Those Who Have Gone Before